CHAP. IV.] EXPANSION OF THE HOOF. 499 



merit of being inventors, for the reasons set down 

 higher up, page 492. Their patents are not worth 

 a straw, unless for cutting into slips for tailors' mea- 

 sures. We must also here add the assurance of 

 our belief, that this contrivance for affording ex- 

 pansion at the heels, by means of the joint, is the 

 best antidote yet made known for correcting the 

 evils arising from the application of a rigid iron de- 

 fence to the horse's foot. 



Objections have certainly been raised against 

 this mode of forming shoes, that seem plausible 

 enough &t first glance : not so fast, however ; for 

 upon cool examination they vanish. The objectors 

 aver, that because we cannot impart the desired 

 freedom of expansion to the whole of the foot, 

 forsooth, we are not to allow it at any part : if we 

 cannot get all we want, we are to reject what is 

 within our reach ; all or none, say they, like 

 froward children. One of these, who is likewise 

 the last, tells us, " In order to admit of expansion 

 and relaxation of the hoof by a joint, it would be 

 necessary to make the nail holes wide enough to 

 allow sufficient play between the shoe and the 

 nails [!], thus producing an effect similar to the end 

 play of carriage springs. But even supposing (says 

 he) this provision were made, the shoe would soon 

 tear out the nails." 



To be sure it would, Mr. Goodwin (p. 187) ; 

 but supposing {even or not even) that your shoes 

 do not so " make plaij," no one would imagine that 

 you were making game at your readers. Why, he 



